Otto's Birth Story- A beautiful connection

I had just crawled into bed when I received a text from Anna saying she was  at the hospital due to some pain in her belly, possibly a separated muscle, and she would keep me updated on if she was in labor or not. Less than two hours later I got a call that while being monitored she went from 4 cm to 6 cm dilated, they were going to admit her and that I could come whenever I liked. I photographed Anna's first birth and knew she delivered quickly. Luckily I live less than 2 miles from the hospital and I already had everything ready to go, I got dressed, ate an apple and headed to Saint Francis Medical Center in Shakopee (MN) excited and ready! 

Anna's beauty never ceases to amaze me, while photographing her birth I couldn't help but think how beautiful her and her husband Nick's marriage is. The communication and unending support is inspiring and wonderful to be around. I could feel it in the room and I think you can feel it in the photographs as well. In fact, Anna had wonderful support all around! Her mom was their with her too and was an amazing support person, she always seemed to know when to step back and when Anna needed that extra support and she would step in and give that extra loving hand. 

Bryn turns One! 102/365

My niece Bryn turned One and I got to do her one year session! It was so much fun! She seriously is such a character. She is the best snugger. One look at her and she will melt your heart forever. However, there is a little diva side to her, as shown in this photograph. :)

Beauty 81/365

I have been so blessed to photograph this little beauty since she was in her mama's tummy. I photographed the maternity, hospital, newborn, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months and a few in between with family and mini sessions. I love getting to know this little sweetheart! And seeing her grow. She is so precious. 

Why choose a birth photographer?

I am a huge advocate for birth photography. It is a HUGE HUGE (did I mention huge?) passion of mine. It just excites me so much! I wish I could tell every family that after seeing the images they would understand that  these images are priceless! This is truly what I feel with all my being!

Hiring a professional photographer to photograph your child's birth provides a way for those involved to just be in the moment, without having to worry about grabbing a camera at the right moments, its covered! Plus you will get amazing photos that will be embedded in your heart forever!

When I got pregnant I just knew without a doubt I needed it photographed. I had photographed many births before I was pregnant and even while I was pregnant! My last birth session was 2.5 weeks before my child was born.

The day came when I was in labor, and I will admit I had thoughts of "what if my birth doesn't go as planned and then I would have just paid someone to photograph a birth that I wasn't hoping for?" Well I decided that I would just call her, and she would come, and I told myself I would be happy with the choice.  And let me tell you- I am!! With all my heart and soul! I love love love love love love my photos. I love looking at them, and reliving the experience. I can look at a photo and remember my thoughts or what was going at that moment.  After seeing the pictures I realized once she was born I never stopped smiling! I never even knew I was smiling! Seeing my baby placed on me for the first time, hold her dads finger for the first time, my baby seconds old, getting weighed, our first family photo, etc are all things I have frozen in time forever because I hired a birth photographer.

Here are a few slideshows from births I have photographed: (you may want to grab some kleenex) :)

Colin's Birth

Bryn's Birth

Johanna's Birth

The Clough family!

This client of mine started off as a stranger, and now I consider them great friends! They are such a fun and caring family! 

This is the same spot we used during her maternity photo shoot! It is so neat now a year later to be able to take a photo in the same location with their daughter!